Rocking your natural hair doesn’t mean that you have to settle for the same boring hairstyle every day.
Human hair weaves are a great option for those who desire versatility and a fresh look.
If you’re considering getting a sew-in weave, or are already a master Weavestress, then you know that not all human hair extensions are created equal.
To help you make the best decision for your tresses, we’ve compiled a list of the best human hair for sew in weave.
We’ll discuss the best types of hair extensions for sew in weave and also reveal our favorite type of human hair for this application.
Keep reading for more!
What is a sew in weave?
A sew in weave is a process where natural hair is braided down and wefted hair extensions are sewn onto the braids.
This method can give you the ability to sport any hairstyle you desire, without causing any damage to your natural hair.
When installing a sew in weave, your stylist will cornrow your own hair into a pattern that best suits your specific hair type, to create a natural look for the hairstyle you desire.
Your hair can be cornrowed in straight-backs, to the side, or in a circle, called a beehive.
These braids are used as the base of your sew in weave.
African American hair is perfectly suited for sew in weaves as the texture allows for sturdy braid bases and long-lasting wear.
Sew-in hair weave extensions come in a variety of textures and can be made from synthetic hair to raw human hair.
Some of the most common hair textures today are:
- Deep wave
- Loose wave
- Kinky straight hair
- Body wave hair
- Kinky curly hair
- Natural human hair (texturized to mimic coily hair types)
Virgin hair extensions offer a wide variety of styling options, as well as being a great way to offer a full look (if your hair is thinning or you have hair loss).
The different lengths and curl patterns make for a great choice if you like to switch up your style without committing to chemicals or cut your natural hair.
The weave hair is sewn onto ‘tracks’ or human hair wefts. These can be single or double machine weft and are then sewn onto your braided cornrows.
Double weft gives the best results if you like a voluminous look.
The hair extension market is a multi-billion dollar industry and there are a plethora of curly textures from tight curls to loose waves available.
Hair is sourced from single donor to multiple donors and graded on the quality of the hair.
(The truth about where hair extensions come from)
The quality is measured by a couple of factors:
- Tangling and shedding-the higher quality hair, the less it will tangle and/or shed
- Manageability-how easy is the hair to comb/brush through?
- Chemical processing-can the high be bleached to a level 10 (best quality) or does it burn or break when trying to lift? (this is bad)
- Durability: How many washes can the hair handle before shedding excessively
- Weft construction-how thin are the wefts that the hair is sewn onto? Bulky wefts will not lay flat on the head when sewn in
Many African American women who have coils appreciate the versatility and low maintenance that wearing this kind of hair can provide and ours are the best hair types for sew in weaves.
Want wavy hair today and loose curls next week? There is a type of hair extension for you.
Do you want to have long hair while waiting for your own hair to grow?
Or do you want to try a hair look while escaping the damage of day-to-day styling?
You guessed it.
Healthy hair is attainable while living your best weave life.
Fine, limp natural hair got you stressed and you want thick hair with bounce and flow?
Sis, the hair gods got you.
A full head of lustrous coils is easy-peasy with a good sew in.
Are sew-ins good for natural hair?
It’s no secret that our natural hair us exposed to damage day-to-day by all the styling and manipulating required to make it do what it do.
Proper maintenance includes protective styling to keep those fragile ends tucked and safe from breaking away and saying bye-bye in the wind (RIP to all the coils in the drain and the comb, sigh).
Proper hair care for your kinks and coils can start with high quality human hair extensions.
Once your hair has been braided down, sew in hair weave extensions can provide a protective barrier from the elements and the daily manipulation that could otherwise cause breakage.
Because our hair types tend to be drier, the most curly, AND breakage-prone, our strands sometimes need a break in order to retain length.
Consult your hairstylist on the type of weave that would best suit your hair texture as well as your desired style.
And be sure to continue to care for your own hair under the weave to get the most out of this amazing hair growth hack.
Am I still considered natural if I wear sew in weave?
Yes!
Don’t believe anyone that tells you that you’re not a true natural if you wear weave.
Being natural means not using any chemicals as a means of altering your original hair texture.
If you’ve given chemical relaxers the boot, and have opted to wear sew in weaves instead, you’re still considered a natural.
What’s the best type of hair for sew in weave?
The best type of hair for sew in weave is virgin human hair.
This type of hair has never been chemically processed, so it’s the closest you can get to your own natural hair texture.
Virgin human hair extensions can be heat styled, dyed, and cut just like your own strands, giving you endless styling options.
Additionally, because this type of hair has never been chemically processed, it tends to be more durable and long-lasting than other types of human hair extensions.
If you’re looking for a versatile, long-lasting sew in weave, then virgin human hair is the best option for you.
When it comes to human hair extensions for sew in weave, there are a few different types that you can choose from.
There are many different textures of virgin hair bundles on the market.
Brazilian human hair is advertised frequently and is pretty popular amongst women who wear weaves.
Virgin Brazilian hair is hair that has not had chemicals applied to it during processing. But more on this later.
What is the most popular hair weave?
With so many types of hair extensions to choose from, it can be difficult settling on one that best suits your needs.
What are the different types of virgin human hair?
There are many different textures of virgin human hair on the market. The most popular textures are:
- Straight
- Wavy
- Curly
- Coily
Each of these textures can be found in a variety of different hair types, including Indian, Malaysian, Peruvian, and Brazilian.
Let’s break some of these down:
1. Indian Hair Extensions
Indian hair extensions are some of the most popular and widely-distributed on the market.
This is because Indian hair extensions are very versatile, can be worn in a variety of styles and can be sourced relatively cheaply.
Additionally, Indian hair extensions are durable and long-lasting, making them a great investment for your hair.
Most human hair extensions and bundles come from India and China, but can also originate from Cambodia or Malaysia.
In some cases, Indian Hindu devotees shave (tonsure) their heads and donate their hair as devotional offerings at temples.
Virgin hair companies then bid for this hair at auctions and prepare it for sale to the public.
(Untangling where your hair extensions really come from-BBC)
In other instances, the hair is retrieved from donors.
Virgin hair bundles can also be procured from European donors, mostly from countries like Russia, Ukraine or Romania, but these are hard to come by and very expensive.
Once the hair has been sanitized and processed, virgin hair bundles are styled with steam or chemicals to create various textures.
The most popular type of hair is Indian Remy hair. This type of hair is often used because it is very soft and has a lot of body.
2. Raw Hair
Raw hair is sold without processing, essentially from the donor’s head to the market.
Raw human hair extensions have their pros and cons.
Because it has not undergone the extensive processing that other hair bundles go through, raw hair is truly in its purest form and can be easily chemically lifted/dyed to the highest blonde (level 10).
Raw hair also does not tangle as easily as other types of hair extensions as the cuticles remain intact and in one direction since raw hair usually comes from 1 donor.
The con of raw hair is that it can have lice.
Yep. You heard that correctly.
Human hair extensions are heavily processed to strip away the cuticles and lice nits are carefully removed before being placed on the market.
Raw hair does not undergo this process and can have lice and nits still on the hair.
Some hair distributors are better at removing these than others, so you really need to do your research before purchasing raw hair.
Due to the higher quality, raw hair also tends to be more expensive.
3. Peruvian Hair Extensions
Peruvian hair extensions are another popular option for sew in weaves.
This type of hair is known for being very soft and silky, with a lot of body and bounce.
Peruvian hair extensions are also very versatile and can be worn in a variety of styles.
Don’t be fooled by the name, though.
Although there is a lot of speculation about the origins of Peruvian hair, it is fairly accepted that this hair type is not likely sourced from Peruvian women (or men).
Sources say the name may just be a marketing tool, used by some hair companies to promote an exotic appeal, increase sales and put perceptual distance between the actual origins of the hair and the end customer.
Peruvian hair may be more about the processed texture of the hair rather than the origin.
Peruvian hair extensions are coarser than Indian hair and tend to be curlier.
This makes Peruvian hair a good choice for coily textures as it most closely looks like Yaki or heat-straightened afro-textured hair.
Nevertheless, Peruvian hair extensions are a great option if you’re looking for soft, smooth and silky hair.
Peruvian hair is the usual go-to with sew in weave styles for African American hair due to its texture and lightweight wearability.
4. Malaysian Hair Extensions
Malaysian hair extensions are becoming increasingly popular in recent years.
This type of hair is very similar to Indian hair in terms of texture and quality. It is also durable and long-lasting.
One of the main differences between Malaysian and Indian hair is that Malaysian hair is often silkier and has a higher shine.
Additionally, Malaysian hair extensions are less likely to frizz in humid weather conditions than other types of human hair extensions.
Malaysian hair extensions are also a good option for those with thin or fine hair, as they are not as heavy as some other types of hair.
Also, if you live in a hot, humid climate, then Malaysian hair extensions may be the best option for you.
5. Mongolian Hair Extensions
Mongolian hair extensions are one of the best human hair options for sew in weaves.
This type of hair is very rare and therefore more expensive than other types of human hair.
Mongolian hair is known for being extremely soft, silky and lustrous. It is also lightweight and bouncy with a high hair quality.
Additionally, Mongolian hair extensions are less likely to frizz or become tangled than other types of human hair.
While Mongolian hair extensions are some of the best human hair extensions on the market, they are also very rare.
This means that they can be difficult to find and are often more expensive than other types of human hair.
There is a lot of debate on where this type of hair actually comes from.
We personally think all hair comes from China or India and just marketed with different names to make it seem exotic.
Some even say that Mongolian hair is just a mix of Indian and Chinese hair.
6. Brazilian Hair
Another popular type of human hair among black women for sew in weave is Brazilian Remy hair.
This type of hair is also very soft and has a lot of body. However, it is also less expensive than Indian Remy hair.
Again, don’t be taken over by the name.
Brazilian virgin hair is just Indian or Chinese hair that has been processed and texturized a certain way.
Hair that is sold as ‘Brazilian” human hair likely does not come from Brazil.
Brazilian Remy hair extensions have the best quality (2nd to raw hair) and will last the longest. It is also less expensive than Indian Remy hair.
Is Malaysian or Brazilian hair better?
This is really a matter of personal preference.
If you want a lightweight option with lots of shine, soft curls and plan to do a lot of heat styling, Peruvian hair may be your best choice.
On the other hand, Malaysian hair is voluminous (full), with great bounce and medium-high luster.
Many high-quality wigs are also made from Malaysian hair.
This is a good option if you like your hairstyle to be full and thick.
What is the best human hair for sew in weave?
The best human hair for sew in weave is virgin human hair.
This type of hair has never been chemically processed, so it’s the closest you can get to your own natural hair texture.
Virgin human hair is also the most durable and long-lasting type of human hair, so it’s a good investment if you plan on wearing your sew in weave for an extended period of time.
Additionally, virgin human hair can be styled in any way you want, so you have complete flexibility when it comes to creating your perfect look.
If you’re looking for the best human hair for sew in weave, that is easy to maintain and style, virgin human hair is the way to go.
When choosing the best type of human hair for your sew in weave, it is important to consider your own individual needs and preferences.
Think about things like your budget, the climate you live in, your natural hair texture and the overall look you are hoping to achieve.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the best human hair for sew in weave, so take the time to do your research and choose the option that is best for you.
How many bundles do you need for a full sew in?
The desired thickness of your sew in weave will determine how many bundles of hair you need to purchase.
If you want a full and thick look, you will need to use 3-4 bundles of hair.
For a more natural look, 2-3 bundles should be sufficient.
Keep in mind that the longer the length of hair you choose, the more bundles you will need to create your desired look.
Additionally, if you have a lot of leave out (hair left out around your hairline or crown), you may need to use less hair.
A good rule of thumb is to use 1 bundle for 8 inches of leave out.
How to care for sew in weave
If this is your first time getting a sew in, there are some basic things you should know about proper care.
First thing, NEVER neglect your own hair while wearing your weave.
This may seem obvious, but it can be easy to do when focused on styling your hair extensions.
Your natural hair still needs TLC to ensure that it will be healthy once you’re done with the weave.
A common problem with wearing sew ins is product buildup on your natural hair underneath.
You can combat this by regular shampoos and making sure to rinse thoroughly each time. (If the rinse water’s not clear, it’s still there!)
Secondly, using hair products that are good for your natural hair is always recommended.
Since the sew-in hairs are human, your quality hair products can do double-time for those, as well as your own hair.
No need to buy extra stuff for the extensions.
We like to keep it simple over here.
A leave-in conditioner on your natural hair can’t hurt but use this with caution as build up may occur. If you wear your weave as recommended (6-8 weeks), you can probably get away with a leave once or twice during that time.
If your sew in hair is really curly, or even coily, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle just as you would your own hair.
Be careful not to pull or tug on the extension hair as this may lead to increased shedding and decrease the wear time on your wefts.
When bleaching sew in weave hair, we always recommend consulting a licensed hairstylist as they will know best on how to achieve the desired look without damaging the hair.
Be advised that, the lower quality the human hair extensions (and cheaper), the more difficult it may be to lift the color out of it. If it can be done at all.
I’ve personally had cheap weave hair burn and fry while trying to bleach, so be aware.
The Breakdown
In conclusion, human hair weaves are increasing in popularity and there are a variety of different textures available on the market, each with their own unique set of benefits and drawbacks.
The best way to determine which type of human hair extensions are for you is to consider your budget, lifestyle and desired hairstyle.
You can express your individual style with the vast array of hair extension types without risking damage to your own hair.
The best human hair is raw hair, with Indian, Peruvian, and Malaysian hair closely following.
You can use human hair weaves as a tool for the maintenance of your natural hair that, if done correctly, can promote hair health and growth.
Quality human hair bundles can last a long time with proper care and are a great investment if you want versatility and an updated style!
Hopefully, this article has provided you with enough information to make an informed decision about which human hair weave is right for you.
Till next time!
Your favorite Kurlie Gurlie,
